began sewing it up. The old man's kind face
had scarcely changed. We took one respectful last look at it, and then
Jim, drawing the canvas over it, shut it out from sight.

We had now to get the body on deck, but without a tackle this we could
not have done. At last we managed to haul it up the companion-ladder.
When Jim went below for more canvas and twine to fasten on the pig of
iron to the feet, we had been longer about our task than we had
supposed. Looking astern, I saw that the sky was darkened by heavy
masses of clouds, while a line of foam came hissing over the surface of
the deep towards us.

"Quick! Quick! Jim," I shouted; "shorten sail, or the masts will be
over the side!"

I ran as I spoke to the halliards; he followed; we had to be smart about
it, and even thus the gale was on us before we could get the canvas
stowed. That was not to be done in a hurry. First one sail got loose,
then another, and we had to hurry to secure them. The sea rose with
unusual suddenness, and the brig was soon tossing about in a way which
made us fear that another leak would be sprung, or the old ones break
out. We managed at length to set the fore-topsail, closely reefed, and
I going to the helm, we ran before the gale.

If Jim was before anxious about our being near the land, he was more so
now. His eyes were nearly always turned ahead, but I began to think
more about the leaks. I asked him what he thought.

"We'll try the well," he answered.

No sooner had he examined the rod than he exclaimed--

"We must turn to at the pumps, Peter, if we don't want to go to the
bottom."

We no longer thought of burying the captain, or doing anything but
keeping the brig afloat. The night began; Jim worked away as hard as
his failing strength would allow. I shouted to him to let me take a
spell.

"No, no; you keep at the helm, Peter," he answered; "I'll work till I
drop."

He only stopped now and then to take a look-out ahead.

The gale seemed to be increasing; the brig pitched and rolled more and
more. Suddenly there came a loud clap. The foresail had given way.
Jim ran forward, and lowered it on deck.

As I could no longer be of use at the helm, I ran to his help, and we
tried to set it again, but all our efforts were in vain. Every moment,
too, the seas now raging round the vessel threatened to break on board.

"Peter, the water is coming in as fast as we get it out, and if we don't
keep pumping it will ga